Boat Owner Etiquette thread questions

[Keithscatch]

Ok, well I thought it was about time to have a Boat Owners Etiquette thread.

I will start off with a question and we can go from there.

When running in a canal how wide would it have to be for you to consider running by another boater who is fishing in this canal?

Personally, I stop for everyone and idle past them and then get back on plane and go on about my business. But I am weird like that. I ask this because lately I have been fishing a canal in a lake that is maybe 4 lanes wide (highway example) in some areas and only 2 or 3 lanes wide in others and some bass boaters just fly by me or worse yet plow by me making a pretty good wake. One wake was big enough to cause water to come over the stern of my boat. Is this acceptable or not? I stopped one guy yesterday and told him to stop as I was fishing here. His reply was "You are fishing the middle of a canal" some how this seemed to justify his response in his mind. Yes, this is a canal that is like a highway for boats. But is it polite or right to just fly by people making them have to deal with your boat wake and possible shutting down any fish he is going after?

I hope this thread turns into a good discussion about things we as boaters can do to make things safer and more enjoyable for ALL considered. Remember YOU ARE NOT the only one on the water.

[senile1]

I'm like you, Keithscatch.  If it's only four lanes wide I'd idle by everyone that is fishing.  If it is wide enough to give them a wide berth (say around 100 yards) I'll slow down but I'll still stay on plane.  

[Pa Angler]

I'm like you, Keithscatch. If it's only four lanes wide I'd idle by everyone that is fishing. If it is wide enough to give them a wide berth (say around 100 yards) I'll slow down but I'll still stay on plane.

I agree, I also idle past other boaters in a narrow environment and if in the main lake slow up or if they are really fay away it's warp speed.

Chow

[Way2slow]

Might want to check state laws.  I know here in GA, they have laws as to how close you can come to another boat and you are also responsible for your wake.

Now, the idle by thing, just depends on what you consider an idle, kinda like the NO-WAKE zones.  It seems a lot of people consider idleing or no wake to be when the boat is off plane but plowing as hard as it can just before laying over and getting on plane, leaving six foot rollers behind them.  Personnaly, I had rather a boat come by me at 70 mph in a narrow channel than at 20.  A boat wide open, on plane is only going to make a small, quick bumps for a wake.  A slow boat is going to rock you all over the place.  Kinda like which had you rather deal with, a Tunnel hull F1 wake or a barge.  If there's enough room I can go by with a safe distance from the bank and them, a 100+ ft or more from the other boat, I keep up a safe speed, if not, I drop down and idle (that's 700 rpm idle) past them.

[senile1]

I agree with Way2slow.  Plowing creates the worst wake of all.  When I'm talking about idling, I'm talking about not leaving any wake.

[Keithscatch]

Refer to my post where I mentioned worst yet plowing by. I agree fast creates a smaller wake then plowing. However, a wake is a wake and we are responsible for our wake. Running by someone on plane while they are fishing in a canal is not a good way to win friends. To me it is rude.

Any other Etiquette things for boaters to remember?

[Alpster]

Common sense dictates the "golden rule" - "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If it rocks your boat to have another boater plow water, then don't do it them. In Louisiana when I was a kid, we had to fight the water skiers in narrow chanels when fishing. Some folks are just oblivious.

Ronnie

[senile1]

Here's one that I've never seen addressed and it is actually involves both hunting and boating ethics.  

On October 12th, I was half-way into Rock Creek on Smithville Lake, north of Kansas City.  For those not familiar with this lake, Rock Creek, by itself, is large enough to be a small lake.  At about the halfway point this section of the lake splits off into three branches.  A goose hunter had setup his blind on a point and he had some decoys set out.  Being the observant man that I am, I was too busy fishing and I came perilously close to his area.  I really felt like a heel and I apologized profusely once I realized what I had done.  I got out of his way as quickly as I could.  

My question is this:  I understand that this was his area and he was there first.  However, due to where his blind was located there were acres and acres of water in the three branches, and in the main branch of Rock Creek in front of his blind that were now unavailable for fishing.  I'm talking about at least 100 acres of water that are now unavailable.  No one could fish even at a fair distance from this guy without the possibility of spooking his geese.  Is it ethical for a hunter to set up in such a place as to block off so much water?  Is it ethical for a fisherman to fish somewhere in that vicinity and how far away would he need to be to avoid spooking the geese?  (I'm not a goose hunter, BTW.)

Just an aside:  After I left the lake that day, I checked the season and if I'm not mistaken October 12th was not in season.   >  According to MDC online the Canada Goose season for 2006 in the northern section of Missouri is 9/30 to 10/9 and 11/24 to 1/31.  

[Keithscatch]

Good question Senile1. (Your screen name always cracks me up)

Ronnie said the right answer. However, Ronnie didn't say that doing unto others as you would have it done to you is a 2 sided street. This hunter was in the wrong. All he had to do was apply the rule Ronnie mentioned. He could have asked himself, would I like it if a hunter cut off such a large portion of this lake and didn't allow me acces to fish it? I believe his answer would have been NO and he shouldn't have set up his blind there.

I am not sure what the laws are. I bet there are laws against such things to protect the common man. However, since I am not a hunter I would have no clue. Just follow the golden rule. If both parties adhere to such a rule then we all would get along just fine.

[cart7t]

Here's one that I've never seen addressed and it is actually involves both hunting and boating ethics.  

On October 12th, I was half-way into Rock Creek on Smithville Lake, north of Kansas City.  For those not familiar with this lake, Rock Creek, by itself, is large enough to be a small lake.  At about the halfway point this section of the lake splits off into three branches.  A goose hunter had setup his blind on a point and he had some decoys set out.  Being the observant man that I am, I was too busy fishing and I came perilously close to his area.  I really felt like a heel and I apologized profusely once I realized what I had done.  I got out of his way as quickly as I could.  

My question is this:  I understand that this was his area and he was there first.  However, due to where his blind was located there were acres and acres of water in the three branches, and in the main branch of Rock Creek in front of his blind that were now unavailable for fishing.  I'm talking about at least 100 acres of water that are now unavailable.  No one could fish even at a fair distance from this guy without the possibility of spooking his geese.  Is it ethical for a hunter to set up in such a place as to block off so much water?  Is it ethical for a fisherman to fish somewhere in that vicinity and how far away would he need to be to avoid spooking the geese?  (I'm not a goose hunter, BTW.)

Just an aside:  After I left the lake that day, I checked the season and if I'm not mistaken October 12th was not in season.   >  According to MDC online the Canada Goose season for 2006 in the northern section of Missouri is 9/30 to 10/9 and 11/24 to 1/31.  

Interesting you bring this up.  I've had a couple incidents involving duck hunters that made me wonder what the laws are.  The first was many years ago at Kinkaid lake in Illinois in the fall.  We launched in pea soup fog, idled across the lake (I think, I had no idea where I was going) and wound up idling right into some duck hunters layout.  We couldn't even see the blind or shore when we went into the decoy setup but the next thing I hear is a shotgun going off twice!    I quickly turned the boat around and moved elsewhere.  

The other time was at Little Dixie lake just east of Columbia.  I showed up at the lake in the middle of the week thinking I'd have the whole lake to myself when lo and behold there's duck hunters on several spots.  The guys on the lower end of the lake didn't seem to happy to see me and pulled there decoys and left.  I didn't even bother to fish the upper end of the lake, which is where I really wanted to fish because of all the decoys I could see in the water.

I'm not sure what the laws are on this.  It would seem it would be better off to close of a lake for certain time periods for waterfowl hunting for not only safety reasons but so the hunters have the best possible chance of getting some birds.

[Cajun1977]

some boaters need to realize   theres an area to set up for prelaunch and post launch        i hate when someone sits on the ramp taking their sweet time   l;oading rods and food and such  holding up the ramp                

[justfishin]

I give a wide a berth as I can with, NO WAKE. Even if I see someone fishing the bank I attempt to give them room and not to wake their lines as well.

[Hillbilly_Hooker]

Like others, I give as wide a berth as possible and NO WAKE, even to the folks on the banks.

[Hale]

Im with Cajun. Im sick of watching a**holes pull down the ramp, then start getting everything ready...taking 10 minutes or more. Then its the same when pulling out. Ive spent most of my life in a boat wether it be for fishing or sporting and the first thing I was taught by my grandfather and dad was how to get your boat in and out QUICKLY!

As far as people blowing by in a canal. I dont care for several reasons*. If its any bigger than 30 yards wide, whos cares its just a wake..10 seconds later the wake is gone. I would much rather have a wake then talk to some guy about how the day is going and what Im fishing with to catch anything. *Now if its really narrow and you plow by or get really close...I will deal with it accordingly! And its not so much as the inconvenience of a wake as its a putting my safety at risk. If I see a boat coming and he is letting off of it to be courteous I will wave him on by, again its a wake who cares. Doing this by ramps, docks, or people tied up to any type of structure is a completely different story.

Its funny that we can point out the hunter was wrong for taking up that area, but I feel the same way when someone parks in the middle of a canal. Its not your water to claim as yours, you see a boat coming put your foot on the trolling motor, scoot out of the way and let him by.

[senile1]

Hale stated:

Its funny that we can point out the hunter was wrong for taking up that area, but I feel the same way when someone parks in the middle of a canal. Its not your water to claim as yours, you see a boat coming put your foot on the trolling motor, scoot out of the way and let him by.

Just to make it clear to all you goose and duck hunters out there, I wasn't necessarily saying the hunter was wrong.  

This is the quote from my post:

My question is this:  I understand that this was his area and he was there first.  However, due to where his blind was located there were acres and acres of water in the three branches, and in the main branch of Rock Creek in front of his blind that were now unavailable for fishing.  I'm talking about at least 100 acres of water that are now unavailable.  No one could fish even at a fair distance from this guy without the possibility of spooking his geese.  Is it ethical for a hunter to set up in such a place as to block off so much water?  Is it ethical for a fisherman to fish somewhere in that vicinity and how far away would he need to be to avoid spooking the geese?

I moved out and allowed the hunter his space since he was there first (also stated in my post).  I just wondered where the line should be drawn, one way or the other.  With regard to my situation, the hunter appeared to be hunting out of season anyway, but I was curious if any of you knew how such a situation should be handled from both sides.  I do hunt, but not waterfowl, so this post wasn't meant to bash hunters.  

[Hale]

senile1 My comment was based on this quote directly out of this thread:

This hunter was in the wrong

I by no means was coming after you on that or anyone for that matter. Maybe he was in the wrong I wasnt there. I was jsut pointing out that we are sometimes quick to judge and point out others lack of good judgement when 'we' are making the same mistakes.

[fourbizz]

Personally, I would rather someone blow by me at WOT then go by at any other speed excepting an idle. Honestly though, out here our lakes are PACKED. For the most part I haven't had problems with other bass fisherman. Sure I get cut off, but if there isn't someone sitting on my point, I'll cut them off if they are more than 100yards away to fish it.

The problems I encounter most are from trout fisherman. Many of the lakes I fish are very popular trout spots ( thats why I fish them ). On any given Saturday in the winter and spring, one lake in particular will have about 75 trout boats, 100 bank fisherman, and 1 bass(ish) boat (thats me ). This is a 300 acre lake.

These guys will drive IN BETWEEN you and your point and bank and drag 300ft of line behind them > > >. I have been known to throw swimbaits at boats, and I often snag their lines and break them off. 4lb test is no match for 25lb P-line. They are just oblivious to what is going on.

Obviously the way I handle it probably isn't the best, but you CANNOT imagine how aggravating it gets.

[Hale]

These guys will drive IN BETWEEN you and your point and bank and drag 300ft of line behind them   . I have been known to throw swimbaits at boats, and I often snag their lines and break them off. 4lb test is no match for 25lb P-line. They are just oblivious to what is going on.

Obviously the way I handle it probably isn't the best, but you CANNOT imagine how aggravating it gets.

Im the same way, I just didnt want to say it! I have no problems chunking lead at someone, chasing them down, etc. Get me out in remote lake and Im bound to fire a shot across the bow. People making mistakes dont bother me, its the people who have elected themselves to be king turd and do what they want, when they want, in complete disregard to everyone around them. This doesnt just go for the waterways; it includes the roadways, the line at the bank, the movie theatre etc.

Ahhhhh there was my tantrum for the day!

[senile1]

senile1 My comment was based on this quote directly out of this thread:

This hunter was in the wrong

I by no means was coming after you on that or anyone for that matter. Maybe he was in the wrong I wasnt there. I was jsut pointing out that we are sometimes quick to judge and point out others lack of good judgement when 'we' are making the same mistakes.

No offense taken, Hale.  I thought you might have been referring to another post, but your post did make me think a little more, and I just wanted to make sure that I didn't offend any of the hunters on this forum.  

[Matt Fly]

Common sense dictates the "golden rule" - "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If it rocks your boat to have another boater plow water, then don't do it them. In Louisiana when I was a kid, we had to fight the water skiers in narrow chanels when fishing. Some folks are just oblivious.

Ronnie

Got to agree with the golden rule.       I have been blown off the water by air boat in a canal while fishing Caddo lake.      I did see the guys later and asked if it was too much of a problem to slow down.

They replied yes, because without power on a air boat, they lose steerage way.    I said, how about slowing down some, then he said sorry guy!!!

Later that day, i was buzzed by a ranger who knew it was wrong in small waters only to see this guy broke down late in the evening.  Hit something, imagine that!!!

I turned around and asked him if he was deserving of my assistance since he was so rude earlier?   He was speechless.    I asked him about the two other boats that came ahead of us that didnt stop either and wondered if they had been buzzed also.

We towed him in.    Only because of Karma, I sure would want someone to help me if needed.

Golden rule.

Matt.

[Keithscatch]

Hale,

Not sure this remark was intended for me:

Its funny that we can point out the hunter was wrong for taking up that area, but I feel the same way when someone parks in the middle of a canal. Its not your water to claim as yours, you see a boat coming put your foot on the trolling motor, scoot out of the way and let him by.

If so, my situation was I was fishing the left side of the bank. Within a good pitch distance to the bank. I was not in the middle of the canal blocking passage. The guy said I was but I wasn't. I always move over to allow people safe passage around me if I am in their way. However, I still stand by my instincts and believe that blowing by someone in a narrow canal at WOT or plane speed is rude.  I don't get along well with rude folk to well. I am also not bashful at telling them what they did wrong. I do this in hopes that they for once would consider others for a change. Oh, I also ask people at boat ramps who are hanging there for long periods of time if they need help or something. Generally they get the point.

But I guess some people just are rude people and could care less about their fellow man.

The lessor of two evils is the WOT speed or on plane speed as opposed to plowing speed. That is an easy one to agree on. The better scenario is to idle past making no wake at all.

[Hale]

Holy s**t I swear this forum is full of a bunch of little girls at times (no offense to the woman that are on here....but you know what I mean ;D).

Okay I will say this sloooowwwly.....I did quote you Keith on saying the hunter was wrong. But I have no idea if you were in the middle of the canal that day...I wasnt there and I dont care. What I can say is that I fish over 250 days a year, atleast 200 of those in freshwater and I can tell you of the HUNDREDS of boats that sit in the middle of a high traffic canal. If the few of you on here that posted dont do that good for you. But someone who is reading this does do it. I was attempting to make a general point.

[senile1]

The canal issue is an interesting one.  Keithscatch, from your initial post I assumed you weren't in the middle of the canal, and I agree that one should move to the side to let other boaters through.  I also agree that the other boaters should idle through if you are fishing at the side of the canal.  But being the sh%# disturber that I am, I like to think of situations where this may not be easy to do.  For instance, you're fishing the middle of the canal and you just hung into the Mother of all lunkers.  A speeding boat is closing in fast and wants to get by.  What do you do?  And what does the speeding boater do?  Shouldn't the boater see that you are hooked up and back off to let you play the fish?  Shouldn't you try to get of the way as well?  

For safety's sake I'm going to get out of the way, but I'm going to be playing that fish the whole way.  

[Keithscatch]

Hale,

That is why I asked the question rather then assume that is what you meant. Just trying to be clear.  ;D

Besides there are laws about such things. It is about who has right of way. A speeding boat NEVER has right of way over a boat that is not under power. Just to be clear in the event that some one here does not know this. So if a guy was in the middle of a canal and is not under power he has the right of way. Sorry, I didn't make the laws. It is to protect him and the oncoming speeding boater. Speeding boat can manuevere out of the way quicker then a boat that is not under power. What if his TM is dead? and is drifting? Speeding boater doesn't know this nor should he assume other boater should move. This is why it is ALWAYS a good idea to slow down and stop come off of plane idle past the guy and then get back on plane once you have passed this guy by. You only lose maybe 30 seconds of your time doing it.

[Raul]

Common sense dictates the "golden rule" - "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".

Ronnie

Common sense .- the least "common" of all senses.  :-?